Not a Simple Destruction

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

===

I staggered slightly and was about to fall when someone caught me. My blood came out of my nose and fell to the ground. My throat felt itchy, causing me to cough. A mouthful of blood came out of it. I didn't know I had overworked my body that much. I needed to work on my power a lot.

"Naruto! Can you hear me?"

"Huh?"

I just registered Tsunade's frantic calling. For a moment, my pounding heart deafened my ears.

"Ah, yes. Sorry, I didn't hear you. The heat of the battle occupied me for a moment," I explained as I straightened up.

"Don't force yourself. Your body is in a mess," Tsunade scolded as she used Shōsen Jutsu on me.

"I know the capability of my body, Princess."

"Shut up!"

"Yes, Ma'am."

I sat down and let Tsunade do the work. On the side, Hiruzen looked at me wryly. A medic was tending to his injury also. The sounds of battle had stopped, but everyone was still busy. They needed to take care of the injured and pick up the body of the fallen. Quite a lot of the civilians were trapped underneath the rubble of their houses which the giant snakes whom the Suna Shinobi summoned destroyed.

Jiraiya landed on the ground beside us with an unconscious Gaara on his shoulder. He looked miffed, but I pretended not to see it. He talked to Hiruzen and asked how he was doing. A look of relief flashed across his eyes. Despite his perverted nature, Jiraiya was very caring—toward certain people, that is. But who wasn't?

When he looked at me, he shot me a shit-eating grin. "How did it feel taking on two greatest Hokage, Naruto?"

"It was very enlightening," I answered honestly. "What about you, Jiraiya? Did you do your task well?"

"I did it exceptionally well. Awesome, aren't I?" Jiraiya smirked triumphantly, though he quickly got serious. "It was quite difficult multitasking. I had to mind the kid and also the summoned snakes destroying buildings. I couldn't choose one over the other as doing so would lead to a huge loss." Jiraiya frowned. "I tried to do it to the best of my ability, but many people still died."

"Thank you for your service, Jiraiya-kun. Losses and sacrifices are not something we can avoid in a situation like that," Hiruzen said soothingly.

Jiraiya nodded silently. Hiruzen smiled before landing his gaze on Gaara. I bet he had a lot of ideas on how to use the boy as leverage for the negotiation between Konoha and Suna. Konoha might be able to put Suna under its thumb legally this time. However, given Konoha's state, we couldn't be too bold as that might lead to another war which would weaken us significantly even if we won it.

"That is enough, Tsunade," I drawled out. "You can tend to other patients."

"It is fine. I have Katsuyu tend to them," Tsunade replied calmly.

"Ah, yeah. I am all right, so you can—"

"Shut up!"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Jiraiya snickered and Hiruzen stifled a laugh. I frowned as I looked at the two of them. I bet they would do the same thing if they were in my position. My life was in Tsunade's hands. She could mess with my Chakra network and I would die in seconds. Although my Chakra Seal would make it hard for her, it would still be a pain.

Yeah, that is a proper reason to fear her.

I also didn't want to be on the receiving end of her fist of wrath.

When Tsunade deemed I was ready to function, I stood up and slicked my bangs to the back. Making twenty Kage Bunshin I instructed them to scatter and help the medic to treat the injured Shinobi and pick up the dead ones. I didn't mention helping civilians, but no one raised a question about it. After all, Shinobi were greater assets to the village.

Although I didn't particularly like the village, I didn't hate the Shinobi. Only the civilians had been harsh on me. The Shinobi were quite likable bar Mizuki. Then again, he was working with Orochimaru, so it would be unfair to make him represent a certain demography of Shinobi in Konoha. Those who didn't like me were mostly those I had pranked.

"It is going to be a long day," I muttered as I looked at the sky.

The day passed in a blur. I functioned on autopilot. The next day came quickly. I found myself looking at the sky, standing in Konoha cemetery. Unlike the day before, the sky was dark. Droplets of rain fell from the sky, hitting my face. Beside me, stood a silent Tsunade. Her comforting hand was on my shoulder.

I didn't get it. Why the mood was so gloomy? The Hokage was delivering a speech about the brave sacrifice of the fallen and the legacy they left behind that we should cherish. I had always tuned out his speech, but today, I found myself clinging to every word coming out of his mouth. Puzzling it was, indeed. Today, I could relate to his corny speech.

I turned away from the sky and looked in front of me. Here lies Umino Iruka. Sustaining some injuries from the fight he had with the invading Shinobi, Iruka tried to save a civilian under rubble. Normally, it would have been a light work. However, his injuries hampered him significantly. He failed to detect the giant snakes coming his way.

I only managed to find his upper body. His lower body had likely been pulverized as I still failed to find it at the end of the day. My day became a blur starting at that point. Recalling the state I found he was in made me recall the memories we had together. A huge part of it belonged to the original Naruto. I had only shared a few moments with him. Although, I admit, it was enjoyable.

My chest felt stuffy. I didn't have any emotional ties with Iruka even though he was a pleasant person to hang out with. However, the remnants of the original Naruto were crying. They were screaming at me to mourn. A small part of me told me it was my fault. Guilt. It was a strange feeling. I hadn't felt it since I made Mum sell her car to cover my tuition because I lost my scholarship due to my negligence.

The Shinobi world is a cold one. Sacrifices need to be made and deaths are common. I understood that well. Was the sacrifice necessary? This time, I couldn't answer. I knew the answer but didn't want to say it. Iruka's death was something I could have prevented if I hadn't been so keen on punishing the villagers.

What was he doing out there anyway? Wasn't he supposed to be at the academy watching over the kids?

It was unfortunate, but it was his fault. Even if I had taken care of the snakes, there was still a chance of him dying.

But the snakes were the cause of his death, no?

A lot of powerful Jōnin fought alongside us and we had two of the Sannin on our side. The cards were stacked on our side. The weak got weeded out. Iruka should have been stronger. I stood by that opinion. However, in the end, his death was not worth it. I didn't even feel accomplished for dealing damage to the civilians.

Ah, I wish I had Sharingan on me. I would have gotten the Mangekyō Sharingan with this intense emotion.

My vision blurred. The rain must have entered my eyes. It didn't. With a stoic face, tears ran down my cheeks. Naruto cried. I didn't. Well, it could have been me, but who knows? I felt more emotions thanks to Sekigan and Kurama, but that didn't mean I accepted them. Maybe, calling them the remnants of the original Naruto was a form of denial. But who knows?

"Are you hungry?"

"I don't mind filling my stomach with something."

When the funeral ended, Tsunade took me to Ichiraku Ramen along with Shizune. The two of them looked like they had a lot to say but kept it to themselves. I wouldn't mind them asking, but I was grateful they spared me from the annoyance. I was fine. Despite my pathetic display at the cemetery, I was barely bothered.

"It has been some time, Naruto-kun," Teuchi greeted me with a smile.

"I just saw you at the funeral and now you are here, Oji-san," I waved at the man.

"Someone needs to keep the village fed," Teuchi laughed, causing me to smile lightly. "What do you order, Naruto-kun?"

"I am in the mood for the Naruto Special. Keep it coming until I have enough."

"Naruto Special, keep it coming!"

The three of us sat on the stools. Tsunade and Shizune settled with two bowls of Miso Ramen. We talked as we waited for our order. We relatively ate in silence but still traded some words occasionally. The ramen tasted different. It was not more delicious than usual but more intense. I could properly register the taste this time and would never forget it.